Highbridge’s Co-op store holds final sale ahead of closure next week

A final closure sale is underway at Highbridge’s Co-op supermarket ahead of the store shutting down at the end of next week.

The supermarket in Southwell Crescent will close on Saturday October 20th and shoppers are snapping up cut-price bargains at the store.

Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, a spokesperson for the Co-op said: “The decision to close any store is not taken lightly.”

“The Co-op is moving forward with a real purpose and momentum and, while this often involves the opening of new stores, we sometimes have to take difficult decisions.”

“The decision is in no way a reflection on the hard work and commitment of colleagues. We would like to thank the community for its support over the years.”

Highbridge Chamber’s Mike Murphy told Burnham-On-Sea.com that the closure is a blow, but added: “This does not come as a surprise given the stated policy of the Co-op to reduce larger stores and expand nationwide with convenience stores open seven days a week trading until 11pm even on a Sunday.”

“This effectively places them firmly in the ‘convenience store niche’ and firmly away from the battleground of the larger stores. The arrival of the store at Berrow and the proposed one at Morlands shows the way.”

He added: “Obviously regular users living close by will miss the larger range the Co-op provides but it was obvious the store struggled and it could be useful to have a convenience anchor store in a shopping mall in the entrance to the Bank Street Car park, similar to the shopping carpark at Langport.”

“Highbridge remains a town in transition and with several housing projects about to add another 1,000 homes in the area and with a new Aldi, we need new ideas for Market Street to truly become a social and retail shopping centre.”

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